The insect fat body is an adipose- and liver-like tissue that stores fat and maintains circulating glucose; it also plays a key role in the humoral immune response. The Drosophila fat body has been used extensively as a tractable system for investigation of regulatory networks impacting insulin signaling, regulation of fat storage, and metabolic homeostasis.
Many studies use a high-sugar diet to induce molecular changes analogous to type 2 diabetes; a high-fat diet has also been used. Manipulation of genes known to play roles in insulin signaling pathways, including InR, foxo, Akt, Akh, EcR, and Hsap\SLC2A4, have been used. A number of genes with newly identified roles in energy homeostasis and lipid storage have been characterized, including fs(1)h, svp, Sdc, gbb, trbl and Naa40. Enzymes required for CoA synthesis; a number of RNA splicing factors, including SF2, Rbp1, and tra2; and genes encoding peptidoglycan recognition proteins involved in the innate immune response have been characterized in this system. Using the Drosophila gene rl, the role of the MAPK/ERK pathway in regulating lipolysis, and the resulting impact on circulating glycerol and glucose levels, has been investigated.
[updated Aug. 2023 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
Moderate to high-scoring ortholog of human TRA2B and TRA2A.
Moderate to high-scoring ortholog of human IGF1R, INSR, and INSRR.
Moderate-scoring ortholog of human FOXO1, FOXO3, FOXO4, and FOXO6.
Moderate- to high-scoring ortholog of human genes AKT2, AKT3, and AKT1 (1 Drosophila to 3 human). Dmel\Akt shares 60-64% identity and 75-77% similarity with these human genes.
Dmel\Akh is postulated to play a role analogous to some of the functions of mammalian glucagon.
Component of the receptor for the insect steroid hormone ecdysone.
Moderate-scoring ortholog of human BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT.
Moderate-scoring ortholog of human NR2F1, NR2F2, and NR2F6.
Low- to moderate-scoring ortholog of human SDC2, SDC1, SDC3, and SDC4.
Moderate to high-scoring ortholog of human BMP7, BMP6, BMP5, BMP8B, and BMP8A.
Low- to moderate-scoring ortholog of human TRIB2, TRIB1, and TRIB3.
Moderate to high-scoring ortholog of human SRSF1 and SRSF9.
Moderate-scoring ortholog of human SRSF3 and SRSF7.
High-scoring ortholog of human NAA40 (1 Drosophila to 1 human).
High-scoring ortholog of human MAPK1 (ERK2) and MAPK3 (ERK1); multiple related genes in both species.